Southern NH RC&D Projects:

	Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative (NALMC) The Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative (NALMC) is an informal group of landowners and agency representatives working together on local issues related to land, habitat, and management in and around Northwood Meadows State Park, Forrest Peters Wildlife Management Area, and Harmony Hill Farm.  The idea is to encourage communication and cooperation in learning about and managing for the rich ecological and wildlife resources of this 3,000 acre area.  As fiscal agent for the NALMC, the Southern New Hampshire Resource Conservation & Development Area Council (SNHRC&D) is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit corporation with 501 (c) (3) status, authorized in 1998.  While administratively linked to the US Dept. of Agriculture and the US Natural Resources Conservation Service, the SNHRC&D collaborates with multiple entities and agencies.  The SNHRC&D Area Council is assisting the NALMC in raising money for an ecological inventory of the 3,000 acre project area.  By sponsoring a cross-boundary ecological assessment, participating NALMC landowners will have baseline information about the natural resources on their land and neighboring lands.  This information will allow them to better understand both sensitive areas and areas that have management potential (e.g., wildlife habitat management, timber harvesting, etc.), and to provide all parties with a starting point upon which to collaborate on management projects.  These projects could include, but not be limited to, cross-boundary trails, wildlife habitat management projects, invasive species control projects, grassland management, or timber harvesting projects.  Click here for a larger view of the map.  NALMC map
	Senior Gardens:  The Southern NH RC&D Council recently completed placing universally accessible garden planter boxes at 13 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in 8 communities in southern New Hampshire. Pictured are Haven Health Center in Derry, Laurel Place Assisted Living in Hudson, Presidential Oaks in Concord, and Sunbridge-Portsmouth in Portsmouth.            Haven Health Ctr          Laurel Place Assisted Living      Presidential Oaks         Sunbridge-Portsmouth As part of their ongoing commitment to community service, the SNHRC&D teamed up with the Alvirne High School Building Trades Department in Hudson to construct the garden planters with lumber provided by the Tom Estey Lumber Company in Londonderry, and potting soil, peat moss and flowering plants donated by Osborne's Agway in Hooksett. These planter boxes were offered free of charge to the 13 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Concord, Manchester, Nashua, Hudson, Derry, Exeter, Dover, and Portsmouth. The planters are portable and can be moved indoors during the winter months as desired.
	Community Garden and Education Center:                                                                  This project will, within the next 5 years, restore 40 acres of                                                                 abandoned farm land at the Youth Development Center (YDC) on River                                                                 Road in Manchester for sustainable local food production, conservation                                                                 education, and wildlife habitat. Families in need will have the                                                                 opportunity to improve their economic condition by growing their own                                                                 food and participating in educational programs covering garden                                                                 planting, food preservation, and nutrition. The project will support                                                                 at-risk area youth by offering alternative summer programs that                                                                 promote agriculture, wildlife habitats, and the environment. The                                                                 Council is serving as fiscal agent for this project in partnership with                                                                 Roger Charbonneau of CharBelle Farm.